When you’re choosing a photographer, it’s important to consider your priorities. How high on your list are wedding photos?

Start by asking recently married friends for recommendations, reviewing their websites and reading reviews online. Next, you’ll want to review their portfolio and make sure they fit your budget. Look for recent full wedding galleries and a mix of shots from different parts of the day.

Ask for references

Photographers should be ready, able and willing to provide you with references from past clients. Real referrals give you a first-hand look at the photography experience from start to finish. If they are hesitant or unwilling to do this, that is a big red flag and you should move on to the next wedding photographer candidate.

You also want to ask them about their post processing technique. This can be a bit of a subjective question but ask them to describe their style and artistic approach. This will give you a better idea of whether their style is a good fit for you and your vision.

This is also a great time to ask them about their packages and what’s included. Many photographers include standard editing like cropping, exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, toning, and sharpening but may charge extra for magazine style retouching or to remove objects from the scene. Understanding their pricing can help you narrow down your options and save money.

Look at their portfolio

When you ask a photographer to send you their portfolio, make sure they include full galleries of weddings they’ve shot from start to finish. This will give you a true sense of their style and whether or not that fits with what you’re looking for.

Pay special attention to how the images are edited. Is their work light and airy, or dark and moody? Make sure their editing is consistent throughout their galleries.

Also, make note of the photographer’s demeanor. They will be with you all day (and potentially directing everyone from your 90-year-old grandpa in his wheelchair to your 3-year-old cousin who skipped nap time). You want someone who can be friendly, but firm when they need to be.

Determan says you should find a photographer that you “vibe with.” They’ll be wearing many hats on your wedding day (helping keep you on schedule, making sure your hair and veil look perfect, educating you on when to take certain photos), so they need to be able to communicate clearly and calmly with all parties involved.

Check out their pricing

If you find a photographer whose style jives well with yours, ask about their availability for your wedding day and their photography rates. Many photographers offer packages based on different variables, such as coverage length.

Also, ask them if they have any backup photographers in case they are ill or need to cancel due to weather. A good photographer will have a backup plan in place for just such an event.

Another thing to consider is the payment schedule. Many photographers choose to have a two- or three-payment system. Be sure to clarify how much of your payments will be due prior to the date and when the final images will be ready to download and order.

Also, make sure that they have a clear definition of their style. This will help them to stand out in the market and be able to provide consistent, high-quality work on every wedding they shoot. In addition, it will give them a recognizable brand that makes it easy for clients to know what to expect from their services.

Ask if they offer videography

If you want to capture more than just the still images of your wedding day, ask if they offer videography. A videographer will provide you with a highlight film and usually a feature film, which is a movie-like version of your ceremony and reception.

This is a good question to ask because it can give you a clear picture of their abilities and whether they can handle the demands of your wedding day. For example, if your ceremony is being held in a church that is extremely dark, you'll need a photographer who can work well in these conditions and produce stunning photos.

Also, make sure that they have a backup plan in case they can't shoot your wedding for any reason. You'll want to be sure that they have a trusted associate who can take over in their place. This is also important because it shows that they are prepared for anything!